Professional Organizations in Counseling and You
If you have not already done so, complete the activity, Research Professional Counseling Organizations and Competencies, in this unit’s studies. Then, in your post, address the following:
• Describe one division of the ACA that interests you. Include the cost of joining, membership benefits, activities, services to members, and current issues.
• Post your ACA region and the link for your state counseling association. What is the cost for you to join and be a member of these associations?
• Provide the necessary requirements for your entrance into the Chi Sigma Iota honor society. After reviewing Capella’s Chi Sigma Iota Chapter Web site, what benefits do you see? Are you interested in joining when you are eligible?
• What benefits do you see in belonging to one or more of the counseling profession’s associations for your future practice?
Support your ideas by citing your sources using APA style.
Response Guidelines
Respond to at least two other learners in a manner that advances the discussion in a meaningful way. Respond to one learner whose interests in a division or region are the same as yours, and one learner with different interests. Your response is expected to be substantive in nature and reference the assigned readings, as well as the Web sites for the organizations discussed. Reference your sources using standard APA guidelines. (For guidance on the proper way to cite information from the Internet, review the APA Style and Format information, linked in the Resources.)
Learning Components
This activity will help you achieve the following learning components:
• Locate Web sites for counselors in your area, and search for professional disclosure statements (sometimes called treatment contracts or counselor-client contracts) on these Web sites.
• Compare examples of professional disclosures/contract statement to notice how laws, ethical guidelines, licenses, and professional credentials are noted.
• Identify a professional counseling disclosure statement, meeting ethical and legal standards, that discloses credentials, licenses, and certifications.
Resources
• Discussion Participation Scoring Guide.
• American Counseling Association.
• ACA Branches.
• ACA Divisions.
• Chi Sigma Iota Chapter.
• APA Style and Format.
Unit 3
• PRINT
• Professional Counseling Organizations: Benefits and Activities
INTRODUCTION
Clinical mental health counselors have resources and support through many different professional organizations that work on behalf of counselors in numerous ways. At the national level, professional organizations enhance public awareness of CMHCs, their competencies, and the services they provide to the public. They also advocate for federal legislative changes that recognize counselors’ competence by allowing counselors to be accepted by private and public employers and insurance programs.
Studies
Readings
In your textbook, Orientation to the Counseling Profession, read the following:
• Chapter 2, “Professional Counseling Organizations, Licensure, Certification, and Accreditation,” pages 35–55.
o These pages comprise the first half of the chapter, which focuses on professional counseling organizations.
Use the Capella Library to read this brief article about an exemplary leader whose vision shaped the counseling organizations of today:
• Kress, V. E., & Barrio Minton, C. A. (2015). Thomas J. Sweeney: A visionary leader and advocate for the counseling profession. Journal of Counseling and Development, 93(1), 114–118.
Research Professional Counseling Organizations and Competencies
Use the Internet to explore the following:
• The American Counseling Association is the primary organization that lobbies for and supports the practice rights of clinical mental health counselors. Go to the Web site and take some time to explore the various divisions devoted to specific issues and types of clients.
• On the ACA Branches page, find and visit your state branch’s Web site. (If your state does not have a branch Web site, visit one from a neighboring state.)
• On the ACA’s Competencies page, review the guidance for counseling particular kinds of clients developed by specific ACA divisions.
• Next, go to the Web site for Chi Sigma Iota, which is the international honor society for counseling learners in CACREP-accredited programs.
• Then, visit Chapter: Chi Upsilon Chi – Capella University, Capella’s CSI chapter, on the CSI Web site.
• Finally, visit the Chi Sigma Iota Chapter on Campus. Although you are not eligible for this honor at this time, you may become eligible to be initiated into the honor society during your residencies.
• Due Date: End of weekly
Percentage of Course Grade: 20%.
GRADUATE DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION GRADING RUBRIC
Criteria Non-performance Basic Proficient Distinguished
Apply relevant course concepts, theories, or materials correctly.
25% Does not explain relevant course concepts, theories, or materials. Explains relevant course concepts, theories, or materials. Applies relevant course concepts, theories, or materials correctly. Analyzes course concepts, theories, or materials correctly, using examples or supporting evidence.
Collaborate with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts.
25% Does not collaborate with fellow learners. Collaborates with fellow learners without relating the discussion to the relevant course concepts. Collaborates with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts. Collaborates with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts and extending the dialogue.
Apply relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences.
25% Does not contribute professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. Contributes professional, personal, or other real-world experiences, but contributions lack relevance. Applies relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. Applies relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences to extend the dialogue.
Support position with applicable knowledge.
25% Does not establish relevant position. Establishes relevant position. Supports position with applicable knowledge. Validates position with applicable knowledge.
• Participation Guidelines
• Actively participate in discussions. To do this you should create a substantive post for each of the discussion topics. Each post should demonstrate your achievement of the participation criteria. In addition, you should respond to the posts of at least two of your fellow learners for each discussion question—unless the discussion instructions state otherwise. These responses to other learners should be substantive posts that contribute to the conversation by asking questions, respectfully debating positions, and presenting supporting information relevant to the topic. Also, respond to any follow-up questions the instructor directs to you in the discussion area.
• To allow other learners time to respond, you are encouraged to post your initial responses in the discussion area by midweek. Comments to other learners’ posts are due by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (Central time zone).
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Counseling Professional Organizations and You
Complete the exercise, Research Professional Counseling Organizations and Competencies, in this unit’s studies if you haven’t already. Then, in your blog article, address the following points:
• Describe one ACA division that intrigues you. Include the cost of membership, membership benefits, events, member services, and current issues.
• Include your ACA area as well as a link to your state counseling association. How much does it cost to join and be a member of these organizations?
• Meet the prerequisites for membership in the Chi Sigma Iota honor society. What advantages do you find after examining Capella’s Chi Sigma Iota Chapter’s website? Do you want to join when you are eligible?
• What advantages do you see?
